Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel has officially recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so.
Netanyahu said Israel and Somaliland signed a joint declaration formalizing the recognition, along with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
He said the move was made in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements brokered under former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a statement, Netanyahu congratulated Abdullahi and praised his leadership, saying he was committed to promoting stability and peace. Netanyahu said he invited the Somaliland president to make an official visit to Israel.
Netanyahu said Abdullahi welcomed the recognition and praised Israel’s efforts to combat terrorism and advance regional peace.
Israel plans to expand relations with Somaliland immediately, Netanyahu said, including cooperation in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
Netanyahu also thanked Foreign Minister Sa’ar and Mossad chief David Barnea for their role in the decision and said he wished the people of Somaliland success, prosperity and freedom.
Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, has long opposed its secession. The recognition tests Somalia’s position, and the Somali government has yet to respond.
